Polymers

Polymers

1. Commercial Packaging

   • Thermoplastic
     • Blow molding
       • Easily formed and moulded
   • Lightweight/versatile
     • Strong, tough, rigid, durable, impact & water resistant
       • Easily printed on
       • Inexpensive
       • Recyclable
   • Internationally recognised coding system

2. Styrofoam

   • Polystyrene
     • Uniformly small, closed cells
       • Modelling
         • Rigid, high compressive stregnth, easily cut and shaped with normal hand tools, smooth finish
   • Bad for fine detail

3. Acrylic

   • Self finishing
   • Withstand extreme weather, chemical resistance, durable, aesthetic
   • Brittle, low scratch resistance

4. Environmental Concerns

   • Created using oil
     • Finite material Energy to produce Pollution
     • Blow molding uses a lot of energy
   • Non biodegradable
     • Incineration releases toxins
   • Difficult to sort and recycle
     • Rarely cost-effective